Has anyone participated in trauma centered yoga? please comment re: your opinion of it.

[KwanYingirl]

My yoga teacher is offering a four week session of yoga for trauma victims. I took Yin yoga which was not taxing or triggering. I took it for a long time. This is different. Just wondering what people’s experience has been with it.

 

[Sweetleaf]

Yes! I f*cking love it! I've actually never done any yoga in my life except for trauma sensitive yoga, so I don't know how it compares in a first hand way, to regular types of yoga.

I do know that it's not as strenuous or fast paced as other types of yoga, seeing as like everyone -but- me in my yoga group, has done other types before, and they talk about the differences. It's much more instructed and there is so much that is voluntary - multiple options are given out. For example - just one of many examples - last session she was instructing us to hold our breath at the top of our breath and the bottom, for a bit, during this pose we were doing. She then said to just breathe normally or like timed breaths, if holding your breath reminds you of trauma (it does for me and also the instructor)

Here is where it may differ - half of each session is talk, half is yoga. The talk portion is like group therapy - my pdoc is actually one of the two people who runs it. She basically runs the psychoeducation and talk portion, and then the yoga instructor (who herself has PTSD - like everyone else in the room lol), does the yoga part.

I really don't know what to say about it, and may think of more stuff as other people say things in this thread, but like, seriously, DO IT!!! It could be really nice for you.

My TSY groups go for 10 weeks. This is my 2nd time doing it, and it's such an important part of my week. Going to really suck when it's done for the whole summer.

 

[KwanYingirl]

Thankyou @Sweetleaf it sounds safe. I would have to change my schedule because it’s during the day.

 

[Sweetleaf]

I would have to change my schedule because it’s during the day.

Aww. Is that a big problem for you?

Also it does feel very safe, it's become one of the only places I can talk about some things, and even though I expect nothing but criticism and rejection, I get met with nothing but acceptance and support. It actually took time to build that up. For most of the first round, I was actually talking as little as possible, using non-verbal communication where I could, but by the time the last weeks came, I started feeling comfortable and safe enough to talk. I really hope they continue doing it once fall rolls around. It would suck to have built up enough of a connection with these people to feel that comfortable with them, only to have it cease. It's hard to build enough of a connection that you're able to talk about shit that makes you feel really vulnerable.

 

[EveHarrington]

I’m also interested in knowing what trauma sensitive yoga is exactly.

I have a feeling it is yoga itself that agitates me, and making it trauma sensitive wouldn’t make a difference.

Yoga is not triggering, but it is agitating. It’s like this for other “slow” exercise techniques, too, like tai chi.

 

[MyWillow]

A recent thread here on TSY - assuming it’s the same thing: https://www.myptsd.com/threads/what-is-trauma-sensitive-yoga.85125/

My TSY class is yoga only. No talk session. That would do my head in. I can walk in, mumble hello, make eye contact with the instructor if I’m up to it, do my thing and leave quietly.

 

[KwanYingirl]

@MyWillow i am not much of a talker especially in a room full of strangers. I have done yin yoga with this particular teacher and she’s wonderful. She and a few other therapists run a wholistic counseling center and Mindy runs their body centered therapies programs. It would require a long drive to get there, but she would be worth it. Maybe in the summer she’ll do an evening class. But, yeah, I like to get on my mat and relax into the practice. My body could really use some good stretching.
@Sweetleaf her studio is a bit of a ride. If the classes were on Tuesday I could go. I’m glad to hear it’s wortwhile. Maybe next session I can rearrange my work schedule.